Carvalho joins Monaco influx

Ricardo Carvalho has officially agreed to join Monaco and will move to the principality at the end of his Real Madrid contract on July 1.

Carvalho, 35, moves on a free transfer on a one-year contract with the option of a second year.

"I'm very happy to join AS Monaco FC and to participate in this new adventure. It's a new challenge for me," Carvalho told the club's official website.

The defender arrived at Nice airport along with his agent, Jorge Mendes, on Tuesday morning to discuss joining the newly promoted Ligue 2 champions, who are keen to make an instant impression on the French top flight.

Former Porto and Chelsea centre-back Carvalho, capped 75 times by Portugal, adds top-grade know-how and experience to a side which will feature his former international team-mate Joao Moutinho and Colombian international forward James Rodriguez, who were snapped up from Porto for a combined €70 million last week.

Monaco have also begun negotiations to secure the transfers of Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao and Barcelona's Victor Valdes, according to reports in the Spanish media.